Paradiso, Canto I (Analisi) - La Divina Commedia

Summary

This video explores the first canto of Dante's 'Paradiso', where Dante's journey through the celestial spheres begins. On April 13, 1300, Dante ascends to the terrestrial paradise and then to the sphere of fire, symbolizing the transition from earthly to divine experiences. The canto introduces themes of divine glory, the limitations of human language in describing heavenly realms, and the influence of divine order in the universe. Dante’s ascent is guided by Beatrice, and the theme of light plays a crucial role in illustrating his spiritual transformation towards God.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dante's *Paradiso* begins on April 13, 1300, in the earthly paradise and then ascends through the spheres of heaven, including the fire sphere, which separates the terrestrial world from the celestial realms.
• 😀 The introduction of classical epic poetry includes a prologue and an invocation. The prologue briefly introduces the subject matter, while the invocation calls on a divine figure for inspiration, as Dante invokes Apollo, the god of poetry.
• 😀 The first verse of *Paradiso* refers to the glory of God, the source of all motion in the universe, and echoes the final verse of the entire Divine Comedy, emphasizing divine love as the force that moves the heavens.
• 😀 Dante expresses the difficulty of describing the ineffable experience of paradise, as human language, even in its highest poetic form, is inadequate to convey the divine vision and the profound nature of his encounter with God.
• 😀 The idea of 'sinking intellect' is introduced, referencing mystical experiences where human intellect is overwhelmed by the divine, leading to a loss of rational capacity in the face of the vision of God.
• 😀 Dante also invokes Apollo, asking for inspiration. This echoes his earlier reference to Saint Paul as a vessel of divine choice, further symbolizing his humble request for poetic guidance.
• 😀 Dante laments the decline of his contemporary world, where few emperors or poets aspire to eternal glory, preferring instead ephemeral earthly rewards. He hopes that his small spark of poetry will ignite a greater fire of inspiration.
• 😀 As Dante and Beatrice ascend into the heavens, the narrative shifts to an astronomical description of their journey. Beatrice's gaze toward the Sun symbolizes a moment of transcendence, marking Dante’s transition from the earthly to the divine.
• 😀 Dante’s second doubt arises when he hears a mysterious sound and sees an overwhelming light. Beatrice explains that they have moved faster than the speed of light, and this answers his doubts about the physical impossibility of their ascent.
• 😀 Beatrice further explains the divine order of the cosmos, where all things, guided by God's providence, form a harmonious whole. She explains that the fire and the elements move in a specific order set by God, illustrating the perfect and unchanging nature of divine order.
• 😀 The final theme of this canto is light, symbolizing the transition from the earthly realm to the celestial. The light represents divine glory, and Dante’s journey symbolizes the soul’s movement toward God, the ultimate source of light and truth.

Q & A

What is the setting of the first canto of Dante's *Paradiso*?

The first canto of Dante's *Paradiso* takes place on April 13, 1300, starting in the terrestrial paradise, which is an intermediary space between Earth and the first celestial sphere, that of the Moon.

What is the purpose of the 'prose' and 'invocation' in Dante's *Paradiso*?

The 'prose' serves as an introductory section in classical poems, where the main theme is briefly introduced. In *Paradiso*, it introduces the theme of the divine glory. The 'invocation' is a call to a deity, often to the Muses or a divine figure. In Dante's case, Apollo, the god of poetry, is invoked.

What is the significance of the first and last verses of Dante's *Paradiso*?

The first verse of *Paradiso* speaks of 'the glory of the one who moves everything,' referring to God, while the last verse refers to 'the love that moves the sun and the other stars.' This establishes the central theme of divine love and its cosmic influence.

How does Dante express the difficulty of describing his vision of Heaven?

Dante expresses the difficulty through the concept of the 'sinking of the intellect,' a reference to mystical experiences where the human mind is overwhelmed and loses its rational abilities when encountering the divine.

What is the role of Apollo in the first canto of *Paradiso*?

Apollo is invoked as the god of poetry and a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Dante asks Apollo to inspire him, paralleling the role of the divine in guiding human understanding, with a specific reference to Saint Paul, who was similarly chosen as a vessel for divine revelation.

What does Dante say about the decline of present times and the desire for earthly goods?

Dante laments that few emperors or poets seek true glory, instead desiring transient, earthly goods. He hopes that, through his poem, a greater fire of inspiration will spread, leading others to seek divine rather than worldly glory.

What astronomical phenomena does Dante describe in his ascent to Heaven?

Dante describes an ascent through the celestial spheres, beginning with a reference to the spring season. He and Beatrice pass through the sphere of fire, which separates the sublunary world from the heavenly realms, before entering the higher celestial spheres.

How does Dante react to the unusual phenomena he experiences during his ascent?

Dante initially experiences doubts due to the unfamiliar sounds and intense light. These doubts are clarified by Beatrice, who explains that the intensity of the light and the celestial phenomena are a result of their rapid ascent through the heavens.

How does Beatrice explain the movement of the celestial spheres and Dante’s ability to ascend?

Beatrice explains that there is a divine order that governs the cosmos, where everything moves harmoniously according to God’s will. This order allows Dante to ascend through the heavens despite the heavy nature of his earthly body, as he is freed from sin.

What is the central theme of the first canto of *Paradiso*?

The central theme is light, which symbolizes the divine glory and the transition from the earthly to the celestial. Dante’s ascent through the spheres of Heaven represents his allegorical journey toward God, the ultimate source of all light.